Stoptober 2017-Would you like to quit smoking this October?

Are you wanting to quit smoking but do not have the will power? Do you have a family member or friend that you want to help ditch the cigarettes for good? Then there has never been a better time to quit with Stoptober, which may provide you with the support you need.

What is Stoptober?

Stoptober is a month long event run each October during which participants are encouraged to stop smoking. The idea is that participants pledge not to smoke during the whole of October, with a view to giving up altogether at the end. The Stoptober campaign was first established in 2012 and was instantly a massive success right around the UK with an initial 250,000 people taking part.

How does it work?

The idea behind the event was created on back of a piece of research, which states that after twenty eight days without a cigarette, smokers are five times more likely to give up smoking for good. It is widely recognised that giving up smoking is very difficult; however with the support offered through the scheme by the NHS and other participants, combined with the resources provided and the power of social media, Stoptober has been a massive success over the past 5 years. Over 2.5 million people across the UK took part in Stoptober in 2016 with an enormous 500,000 (20%) of them giving smoking up altogether at the end. Major celebrities have also been a major influence on the project, pledging themselves along with the nation which include former England football player Ian Wright, comedian Bill Bailey and sports TV presenter Chris Kamara.

How do I get involved?

Getting involved in Stoptober couldn’t be easier! Simply search ‘Stoptober’ online, sign up and choose the package of support that will help you. There are Stoptober information packs which can be sent via post, free online apps, daily emails, face to face expert support and much more to help you kick it once and for all! For an added incentive to stay motivated, you could even get involved in one of the many sponsorship opportunities. Why not set up your own just giving page at https://home.justgiving.com/ and donate the money raised to a charity of your choice (e.g. Cancer Research?)

Why should I quit smoking?

Here are 10 health benefits of quitting smoking that the NHS state as to why you might want join Stoptober:

1. Stopping smoking lets you breathe more easily

People breathe more easily and cough less when they give up smoking because their lung capacity improves by up to 10% within nine months.

2. Stop smoking gives you more energy

Within 2 to 12 weeks of stopping smoking your blood circulation improves. This makes all physical activity, including walking and running, much easier.

3. Ditching the cigarettes can make you feel less stressed

The withdrawal from nicotine between cigarettes can heighten feelings of stress. As the stress of withdrawal feels the same as other stresses, it's easy to confuse normal stress with nicotine withdrawal. So, it can seem like smoking is reducing other stresses whereas this is not the case.

Men who stop smoking may get better erections. Women may find their orgasms improve and they become aroused more easily.

5. Stopping smoking improves fertility

Non-smokers find it easier to get pregnant.

6. Stopping smoking improves smell and taste

When you stop smoking, your senses of smell and taste get a boost. You may notice that food tastes and smells different as your mouth and nose recover from being dulled by the hundreds of toxic chemicals found in cigarettes.

7. Stop smoking for younger-looking skin

Stopping smoking has been found to slow facial ageing and delay the appearance of wrinkles.